Dempster denies any friction with Cubs' brass

As the trade deadline approaches and Ryan Dempster spends what likely will be his last full day in Cubs uniform, he spoke to the media before Monday night's game.

Dempster said he's ready to pitch for the Cubs on Tuesday if he's not dealt, though even manager Dale Sveum said he expects Dempster to be gone by this time on Tuesday.

Dempster denied there has been any friction between he and Cubs baseball president Theo Epstein or general manager Jed Hoyer, despite the agreed upon trade with Atlanta last week that blew up on the Cubs when Dempster shot it down.

"Not at all," Dempster said. "They’ve got a job to do. They're trying to do what's best for the Chicago Cubs and I understand that. They’ve been honest with me, it seems like. I'm just trying to do what I can to continue to do my job as a player, and that's to get ready to pitch."

Epstein and Hoyer have been silent about the botched trade. The Cubs lost any leverage they once had, and may have to accept some less prominent prospects from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dempster's preferred team.

Some blame Cubs management for going that far into a deal without being positive Dempster would waive his 10-and-5 rights to play there. Others blame Dempster for letting the Cubs go into serious talks with the Braves if he wasn't all that interested in going there in the first place.

Either way, the deal that wasn't a deal has put a dent in Dempster's public image.

"I don’t mean it in an offensive way, but I know who I am as a person, and I'm trying to do everything I can in here, in the clubhouse and do right by the guys," he said. "People are going have all kinds of different opinions, and I understand that. Especially today's world with social media. I'm just trying to handle it the best way I can and be as professional as I can and be ready every fifth day."